Lamp holder for circular lamps



Dec. 19, 1950 F. c. DAZL EY LAMP HOLDER FOR CIRCULAR LAMPS 2Sheets-Sheet 1':

Filed 001.. 23, 1945 r e .Ill

Inventor: FredericK C-Dazley,

by His Attorney.

Dec. 19, 1950 F. c. DAZLEY LAMP HOLDER FOR CIRCULAR LAMPS 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed 0st. 25, 1945 Inventor: Frederick C-Dazle b Attorney.

Patented Dec. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES ZPATENT OFFICE Frederick C. Dazley,Stratford, Conn, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation ofNew York Application October 23, 1945, Serial N 0. 624,036

5 Claims.

My invention relates to a lamp holder for circular lamps of the tubulargaseous discharge type, such as circular fluorescent lamps of the typenow coming on the market.

Tubular lamps which are formed as a loop such as a circle are generallyprovided with a contact base at one place in the periphery of the lamptube. The contact base is usually formed as a tube to provide acontinuation of the lamp tube and has extending radially contact pins,whereby electrical connections are made to the lamp electrodes. Alampholder for such a lamp thus must include not only mechanical supportstructure for supporting the lamp, but also electrical contacts elementsfor making the necessary electrical connections to the contact base ofthe lamp. It is important that such a lampholder be sturdily constructedso that it will effectively support the lamp; at the same time it mustoperate easily and positively for easy lamp replacement. Accordingly, itis a primary object of my invention to provide an improved lampholderfor circular lamps which will satisfy these requirements.

It is another object of my invention to provide a lamp holder forsupporting a plurality of circular fluorescent lamps of differentdiameters.

It is still another object of my invention to provide a lamp holderwhich is particularly adapted for use in a wide variety of lighting fiX-tures such as floor lamps, ceiling fixtures, wall brackets, or the like,and in which a plurality of lamp holders may be assembled together invarious ways to give a pleasing decorative design.

It is a further object of my invention to previde a lamp holder forcircular fluorescent lamps having incorporated therein an electricalconnector or receptacle for receiving the starting switch mechanismcustomarily utilized in starting such fluorescent lamps.

Briefly stated in accordance with my invention a lampholder for circularlamps is constructed with a supporting bracket from which two or morelamp engaging projections extend. One of these projections is providedwith electrical contact receptacle means; and one of them is movable andis spring-tensioned to hold the lamp firmly in position and to assureadequate connection between the receptacle means and the contacts in thelamp base.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 shows a plurality of lamp holdersconstructed in accordance with my invention and supporting a pluralityof circular fluorescent lamps in a table lamp fixture; Figs. 2 and'3illustrate waysin which the lamp may be mounted in the holder;

(Cl. IMO-$1.12)

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the lamp holder with a circular lampmounted in position thereon; Fig. 5 is an exploded view showing the lampbase and part of the holder in section: Fig. 6 is a view of a lampholder constructed in accordance with my invention and which is particularly adapted to support a plurality of circular lamps of differentdiameters; Fig. 7 is a view of the lamp holder shown by Fig. 6 supportedfrom a ceiling bracket; Fig. 8 is a perspective view, partly in section,of a modified form of lamp holder; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of thelamp holder of Fig. 3 with the addition of an electrical connector forreceiving a lamp starting switch mechanism; Fig. 10 illustrates anothermodification of the lamp holder structure; and Fig. 11 is a diagrammaticView showing the operating circuit of the lamp.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates a table lamp I providedwith a plurality of lamp holders 2 constructed in accordance with myinvention and which carry a plurality of circular fluorescent lamps 3.The lamp holders are arranged one above the other on the supporting stemof the lamp and the lamps are shielded by the usual shade 4.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lamp holder 2 comprises a supportingmember or bracket 5 which is adapted to extend across or span the loopof the lamp. It is provided with two arms or projections S and l whichextend laterally from the bracket and which are adapted to engage theperiphery of the lamp for supporting the lamp on the holder. One of thelaterally eX- tending arms, in this case the arm 1, is made movable withrespect to the supporting bracket so that the arms may be moved togetherrelatively to each other for insertion in the loop of the lamp. Althoughthe arm I is the movable one, the arm 6 may be made movable equally aswell. The other arm 6 carries an electrical connector 8 for making anelectrical connection with the base of the lamp. In mounting the lamp inposition, the loop of thelamp may be pressed against the arm I and thenthe base snapped into position on the supporting arm 6 with the lampcontact pins engaging the connector. This procedure is illustrated inFig. 2. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3, the base of the lamp maybe first mounted on the arm 6 and then the lamp tube snapped intoposition on the arm l.

Turning now to the construction of the lamp holder and referring to Fig.4, it will be seen that the bracket 5 comprises two nested channel fi tons 9 and '10. The lower section in is pro- A set screw [5 locks thebracket in position on the stud.

As shown by Fig. 5, the laterally extendmg arm 6 is formed of anysuitable insulating material, such as a molded plastic. It is providedwith flanges or abutments 6 at each end which rest on the inner surfaceof the channel section H] with the main body of the arm extendingthrough the opening II in the section. The arm is clamped in position bysnapping the upper section 9 into nested position on the lower sectionso that the upper section bears against and rests on the bracket. Inorder to engage the periphcry of the lamp, the arm 6 is provided with acurved portion I! which has an outline corresponding to the curvature ofthe lamp tube. Thus, the arm fits around the inner periphery of the lampin the manner shown by Fig. 4.

In order to make an electrical connection with the lamp base, the arm 6is provided with an electrical connector or receptacle 18 preferablyformed of molded soft rubber. Four contact sleeves 19 are assembledwithin the connector and carry corresponding conductors 29 for making anelectrical connection therewith. In manufacture, the contact sleeves I9are first fastened to the conductors 20 and then the soft rubber body ofthe connector is molded around them to form the completed article. Thepremolded connector I8 is then molded into the arm 6, the connectorbeing positioned such that it extends slightly from the curved surface11. In this way, the contact sleeves l9 are adapted to receive and makean electrical connection with the contact pins 2| formed in the base 22of the circular lamp.

The other arm I is formed of insulating material, such as a moldedplastic, and is provided with a curved surface 23 having an outline corresponding to the curvature of the lamp tube. It is adapted to extendover and engage the tube of the lamp in the manner shown by Fig. 4. Itcarries a frictional contact button 24 of any suitable material, such assoft rubber, for frictionally engaging the wall of the lamp to aid inmaintaining the lamp in seated position on the holder. The arm 1 ispivotally mounted in the lower section I!) of the bracket by means of apin 25 and the arm extends downwardly through the opening 12 in thebracket into engagement with the lamp. A U-shaped spring 25 is locatedin the space formed by the channel sections. One end of the spring isfastened to section 9 in any suitable manner, as by a rivet 21. Theother end engages the arm I and biases it about the pivot 25 intoengagement with the wall of the lamp.

As pointed out in connection with Figs. 2 and 3, the lamp may be firstmounted in either one of the extending arms 9 or 1 and then snapped intoposition in the other arm. The arms 6 and l are movable relatively toeach other so that they may be moved together for insertion in the loopof the lamp. The spring biased arm 1 tends to pull. the lamp pins morefirmly into engagement with the receptacle contacts [9 and. to hold thelamp base firmly in position on the arm 6. It should be noted that thespacing between the arms 6 and 1 may vary considerably due to the factthat the arm I is movable relatively to the fixed arm 6 so that the armswill compensate for any variations in the diameter of the lamp due tomanufacturing tolerances. The curved surfaces of the arms extend to aconsiderable extent around the curvature of the lamp tube so that thereis no danger of the lamp falling out of the holder when it is suspendedfrom the holder, in the position shown by Fig. 4. The arms 6 and 1 holdthe lamp firmly in position at all times even when the holder issubjected to considerable vibration since the lamp is supported at twopoints along its periphery. No appreciable shadow is cast by thelampholder when used in conjunction with the circular fluorescent lamp.Since the electrical connector I8 is formed of resilient moldedmaterial, it permits a certain limited movement of the receptaclecontacts l9 so that there is no danger of bending the lamp contact pinswhen removing the lamp from the holder.

While in the construction thus far described, my lamp holder is designedto support only one circular fluorescent lamp, it will be manifest thatit may be adapted to support a plurality of such lamps simply byincreasing the length of the bracket 5 and adding a number of pairs ofarms corresponding to the number of lamps to be supported. Such anarrangement is shown in Fig. 6 in which the lamp holder 2 is mounted ona stud 29 of a lighting fixture. The lamp holder is provided with threepairs of arms 6 and I to accommodate circular fluorescent lamps of threedifferent diameters. This same arrangement is shown by Fig. 7 in whichthe lamp holder 2 is suspended from the ceiling fixture 30.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modified form of lamp holder in which thebracket 5 is formed in a different manner and in which the movable armis slidably mounted on the bracket instead of being pivotally mountedthereon. To this end, I form the bracket as a sheet metal channelsection 3| of generally circular configuration to accommodate theconductors making an electric connection to the lamps. This channelsection is provided with spaced sides 32 and 33 forming a uideway for amovable arm 34. The arm 34 is constructed of insulating material, suchas sheet fiber, and is slidably mounted on a rod 35. It is spring biasedtoward the end of the bracket by a compression spring 36 mounted on therod 35. One end of the spring engages the arm and the other end isfastened to a pin 3'! carried in the wall of the channel 3|. Movement ofarm 34 is limited by an ear 38 formed in the side wall 32 and extendingacross the space between the walls. The arm 34 is provided with a curvedsurface 39 for engaging the tube of the lamp in the same manner as thearm I.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8, the electricalconnector I8 is mounted between two spaced fingers Ml'formed integrallywith the side walls 32 and 33. The fingers are crimped around theelectrical connector to hold it firmly in position and are provided withcurved surfaces il corresponding to the curvature of the lamp base sothat the base may be seated in position on the lamp holder with the lampcontact pins engaging the electrical connector I8. Spaced cars 42 extendlaterally from opposite ends of the channel 3| and serve to mount it inposition on a lamp fixture, or thelike. The lamp is mounted in positionon the lamp holder simply by moving the arm 34-back against the actionof the compression spring to permit the arms 34 and 40 to be inserted inthe loop of the lamp. Thereafter, the compression Spring holds the arm34 in engagement with the periphery of the lamp and maintains thecontact base in seated position on the electrical connector [8.

The operating circuit for a circular fluorescent lamp is shown indiagrammatic form in Fig. 11. Filaments 53' at each end of the glassenvelope are connected across a suitable 110 volt A.-C. power supplyincluding a ballast for controlling the operation of the lamp. Astarting switch 4 is connected in series with the lamp filaments forstarting the lamp. Such starting switches are well known in the art andmay be of either the glow switch, magnetic or thermal type. When thestarting switch operates, the ballast provides an inductive kick forstarting the lamp. In one form of my lamp holder, I make provision formounting the starting switch 44.

As shown in Fig. 9, the channel 3| carries a socket 45 having spacedcontacts 46 for receiving the contacts of a starting switch of the typedescribed. To hold the socket G5 in position, the side walls 32 and 33of the channel are simply pressed out around the socket so that it isfrictionally held in position. The advantage of this arrangement is thatthe starting switch mounted in a convenient location on the lamp holderwhere it is readily accessible for replacement. It is in a positionimmediately adjacent the base of the lamp, as indicated in Fig. 6, so

that it forms part of the lamp holder construction and presents apleasing appearance.

While in the forms of the invention thus far described, the movable armfor engaging the lamp tube has been shown as pivotally or slidablymounted, it should be manifest that this arm may be mounted in otherways to provide for relative movement between the two spaced lateralarms which support the lamp on the holder. Another such method ofmounting the arm is shown in Fig. 10. In this construction the movablearm 1 is carried by a rod i'i which extends upwardly through openings t8and 49 formed in the channel sections of the bracket. The rod Al isprovided with an enlarged head or abutment 5i! and a coiled spring 5! isdisposed between the head 50 and the upper section 9 of the bracket. Theopening 58 in the lower bracket H] is made large enough to provide for acombined pivoted and sliding movement of the arm I. In this way, the arm1 may be moved back and forth to permit mounting of the lamp. It isreturned into biasing engagement with the lam-p tube by the action ofspring 5|. The mounting construction for the arm I illustrated in Fig.10 may be utilized in the lamp holder construction of Fig. 4.

While my lamp holder is particularly adapted for use with circularfluorescent lamps of the type now on the market, it should be manifestthat it may be used equally as well with lamps having otherconfigurations. For example, the loop of the lamp may be formed as asquare or an elipse. The particular shape of the lamp may be varied inaccordance with the decorative scheme of the lighting system. When usingthe lamp holder of Figs. 6 and '7 in which a plurality of lamps aremounted on the holder, diiferent colored lamps may be used, to give apleasing decorative effect. In the form of the invention illus trated, Ihave shown the relatively movable arms 6 and I as engaging the innerwalls of the loop of the'lamp but it will be apparent that they may bearranged to engage the outer walls of the lamp equally as well withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. A lamp holder for a tubular lamp formed as a loop and having acontact base in its periphery comprising, in combination, a supportingbracket adapted to extend across the loop of the lamp, a memberextending laterally from said bracket and being provided with a curvedsurface extending around a portion of the periphery of the lamp, acontact receptacle located in the curved surface of said member andadapted to engage the contact base of the lamp for making an electricalconnection therewith, and a second member slidably mounted on saidbracket and extending laterally therefrom, said second member beingprovided with a curved surface for engaging and supporting the peripheryof the lamp at a point spaced from the contact base of the lamp, andspring means for biasing said second member into engagement with thelamp.

2. A lamp holder for a tubular lamp formed as a loop and having acontact base in its periphery comprising, in combination, an elongatedsupporting bracket adapted to extend across the loop of the lamp, amember extending laterally from said bracket and being provided with asurface extending around a portion of the periphery of the lamp, acontact receptacle carried by said member and adapted to engage thecontact base of the lamp for making an electrical connection therewith,a second member movably mounted on and extending laterally from saidbracket for engaging and supporting the periphery of the lamp at a pointspaced from the contact base of the lamp, and an electrical receptaclecarried by said bracket for receiving a starting switch to start thelamp.

3. .A lampholder for a tubular lamp formed as a loop and having acontact base in its periphery comprising an elongated bracket ofsubstantially uniform cross section adapted to extend across the loop ofthe lamp, a pair of similarly shaped finger-like lamp engagingprojections extending from one surface of said bracket for engaging andsupporting opposite sides of the loop of the lamp, both of saidprojections having a concave curved surface adapted to engage theperiphery of the lamp, a contact receptacle carried by one of saidprojections and adapted to engage the contact base of the lamp formaking electrical connection therewith, the other of said projectionsbeing pivoted to said bracket and being spring tensioned with respectthereto in a direction away from said receptacle-carrying projection.

i. A lampholder for a circular tubular lamp having a contact base at oneplace in its periphery comprising a supporting bracket, a plurality ofsimilarly shaped fingerlike lamp engaging projections extending fromsaid bracket and disposed with similar portions in the plane of thelamp, each of said projections having a concave surface facing the lampand adapted to engage the periphery of the lamp tube, contact receptaclemeans carried by one of said projections and adapted to engage thecontact base of the lamp for making electrical connection therewith,another of said projections being movable with re spect to said bracketand spring means for biasing said movable projection into engagementwith the lamp,

5. A lampholder for a circular tubular lamp having a contact base at oneplace in its periphery comprising a supporting bracket, a plurality ofsimilarly shaped fingerlike lamp engaging projections extending fromsaid bracket and disposed with similar portions in the plane of thelamp, each of said projections having a concave surface facing radiallyoutward from the center of the lamp circle and adapted to engage theperiphery of the lamp tube, contact receptacle means carried by one ofsaid projections and adapted to engage the contact base of the lamp formaking electrical connection therewith, another of said projectionsbeing movable with respect to said bracket and spring means for biasingsaid movable projection into engagement with the lamp,

FREDERICK C. DAZLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

